ADVENTURE
• The Weekender Oberland Edition 29–31 May
• The Weekender Lowlands Edition 26–28 June
Each event welcomes 50 women from all backgrounds for a 3-day, self-supported bikepacking experience full of freedom, fun, connection, and personal growth. With both events selling out in previous years, we recommend securing your spot early.
Now in its fourth year, The Weekender continues IRIS’ mission to empower women through cycling and make bikepacking more accessible, whether you’re new to adventure riding or already hooked.
What to expect?
Approximately 220 to 280 kilometers of gravel paths, forest trails, and sandy sectors will be explored over three unforgettable days.
This year, participants can choose between two unique routes:
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The Weekender Oberland Edition 29–31 May
Starting and finishing in Munich, the route heads south through the beautiful Oberland region. Along the way, riders will pass quaint villages, rolling fields, small chapels, towering churches, twinkling waters, and traditional Bavarian inns. Clear rivers, ponds, and lakes provide perfect spots for long breaks, and magnificent views of the nearby Alpine peaks reward your efforts.
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The Weekender Lowlands Edition 26–28 June:
Linking the Dutch cities of Nijmegen and Eindhoven, participants will experience a mix of gravel paths, forest trails, and sandy sectors, with opportunities to stop in charming towns and scenic landscapes along the way.
Both routes are self-supported adventures, giving you the freedom to travel at your own pace along the recommended path to reach your destination. Along the way, we’ll stop as a group at two campsites where we will camp, connect, and trade stories under a sky full of stars. At the end of the ride, a well-earned celebration awaits all participants.
Participation in The Weekender is for all women seeking adventure, togetherness, and fun on a bike. To maintain a welcoming and communal atmosphere, the group is limited to 50 riders.
For more information and inspiration, have a look at our previous editions on our Stories page.
Practical Information
The Weekender Oberland Edition
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Date: 29–31 May 2026
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Start and Finish: Munich, Germany
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Number of places: 50
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Cost: 100€. This includes 2 nights at a campsite, starter drinks, and arrival party in Munich.
- Signup: The Weekender Oberland Edition
The Weekender Lowlands Edition
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Date: 26–28 June 2026
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Start and Finish: Nijmegen to Eindhoven, Netherlands
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Number of places: 50
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Cost: 100€. This includes 2 nights at a campsite, starter drinks, and arrival party in Eindhoven.
- Signup: The Weekender Lowlands Edition
Funded spots & support
We understand that everyone’s financial situation is different, and we want The Weekender to be as accessible as possible. If the entry cost is a barrier to your participation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at ask@iris.cc. We have a number of funded spots available and will do our best to help you join the ride.
Kit Loan Options
Thanks to our partners, we’re able to offer participants the chance to borrow essential kit if you want to try bikepacking but aren’t ready to invest in your own equipment. This includes bikes from Canyon, bikepacking bag sets from Tailfin, and camping gear such as mattresses, sleeping bags, and tents from Sea to Summit. Please note that kit loans are not available for all participants and will be arranged on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to request kit, email us at ask@iris.cc and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Sign up
Registrations are now open. Simply sign up by purchasing a ticket via the links below:
Video impression of The Weekender 2025
Preparation
Leading up to the event we will host a webinar with more practical information about the event, the route and bikepacking trips and tricks. The final route will be shared the week before the event so you can download it in advance of The Weekender.
FAQs:
- Is it a race? Nope, it’s a non-competitive event. You are encouraged to ride at your own pace.
- Do people ride together? Usually! Groups often form out of different paces and preferences. You can ride at your own pace and find a group to share the ride with for that day.
- Where will I stay? We have arranged the campsites for you, but you need to bring your own tent and sleeping gear.
- What bike do I need? A bike on which you can mount bikepacking bags, since you need to carry your own stuff. There will be some gravel sections so a bike with wider tires is to be advised. A gravel bike or mountainbike is perfect!
- What do I need to bring? You need to bring your own tent, sleeping gear, cutlery and anything else you need to survive 3 days and 2 nights on a bikepacking adventure.
- How much experience do I need? Check out the route to see if you’re comfortable with it. We want to make this accessible for all, so you can always take short cuts or detours whenever you want to. A good general level of fitness and some experience is essential, but you don’t need to have previous bikepacking experience.
- What happens if I have bike issues? Riders are always happy to help each other out, exchange skills, and swap snacks while fixing bikes. You can also head to bike repair shops and buy replacement parts in larger towns.
- How inclusive is the term ‘women’? We welcome all women, no matter their background, including transgender women. If you identify as a woman and you love riding, you belong on our adventure!
The Weekender is powered by:
